The Canon vs. Nikon Conundrum: Part 2 – The Feedback Email

Disclaimer: Now before I resume to the next part of my story, let me repeat and enhance further my original disclaimer. This story is one from my own personal experience, and is not one where I will preach that one brand is photographically better than another. Whatever I am about to reveal is very much my own personal opinion, and I do believe everyone has their own right to decide for themselves. I will explain in a later part why I omitted the alternatives such as Sony, Olympus and Panasonic, to a name a few top photographic brands. Also as a warning to Canon users, this part of my story will sting you. So without further ado, let’s resume.

Now there’s a reason why I started this article with a backstory of my own photographic journey. If you actually do a stock take of the gear I owned before I made the switch, here’s what you’d have come up with:

• Canon 350D camera
• 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5
• 17-55mm f/2.8 IS
• 50mm f/1.8
• 85mm f/1.8

The glass themselves are highly rated in the Canon APS-C world. And I’m not even counting the investment in the 580EX II flash, and all kinds of other bibs and bobs I acquired along the way that were Canon specific. So in summary, I had every reason NOT to switch and just get a camera upgrade from Canon. But the fact is, I didn’t and I still switched. Albeit after a painful financial blow, and also a lot of sleep loss.

Why? Why didn’t I take the most obvious route and stick to Canon? I could perhaps consider a 2nd hand 40D, or a brand new 50D? If I wanted full frame I’d be able to choose from the classic and now legendary 3 year old Canon 5D, and also the brand spanking new HD video capable 5D Mark II. And, as popular rule of thumb applies, I’ve already got an investment of glass in Canon, so I should just stick with them. And as we all know by now, I broke that rule. Why?

The answer to that is NOT a simple one.

Now to those of you who know me well enough, I spend too much time on the Internet reading and researching on all things photography. One minute I’m scouring the 2nd hand markets over Malaysian forums, the next I’ll be spending time reading photography related articles from various Internet sources, and even analyzing MTF charts and reviews on popular photography review pages. So much so, I even compiled a whole page of links for the similarly inquisitive as I. Needless to say, I read online on photography a lot more than I photograph, and as a result I’d like to think I’m fairly informed, though I am susceptible to mad spending of my hard earned money on camera gear.

Well, in order to explain my answer, I’ll need to rewind the clock a bit. I started to get rather frustrated with Canon over their new camera releases of late 2007 and the whole of 2008. It was around this time that Nikon had sent shockwaves by announcing the D3 and D300, two fantastic cameras, just weeks after Canon played safe and released an incremental update of the 30D in the form of 40D. Canon’s aging 5D, then nearly 3 years old, was also not updated.

Ever wonder why Canon do things the way they do? I have a theory, and I will share this with you. In short, it’s called MARKETING, and the age-old saying “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” There’s really nothing wrong with what they’re doing, since, they are after all the market leaders.

You see, I was in the market to ‘plan’ my camera upgrade. But in a classic case of ‘gearhead-edness’ and not spending enough time doing ACTUAL photography (yes, I am indeed guilty as charged), I got quite frustrated. Frustrated enough that in the middle of 2008, before the announcements of the Canon 50D, Nikon D90, and Canon 5D Mark II and right after the announcement of the Nikon D700, I wrote a LONG email to Canon Malaysia. I even cc-ed a copy to Chuck Westfall, which as of current date was and still is the manager of the Camera Divison Technical Information Dept of Canon U.S.A.

Here is a copy of the exact same email, unedited and unfiltered other than for some typos I only just corrected. Please note that for those whom are not into DSLR photography, or technically inclined, you may want to zoom right past this email. Also Canon lovers,  as I mentioned in my disclaimer, I warn you that this email will sting you.

Dear XXXX,

Below are my honest opinions on the Canon EOS line, and I hope you can spare a few minutes of your time to just have a read through and ponder the validity of some of the points I’m about to make.

I originally intended to send this email to the head of Canon Malaysia but am not sure how to obtain the contact of this individual. As such I have sent a copy of this email to the general email address of Canon Malaysia at Helpdesk, and also another copy to Chuck Westfall, the manager of the Camera Division Technical Information Dept of Canon U.S.A.

First and foremost, I realize that Canon is indeed a marketing giant, and as an EOS user, I can truly analyze and observe the many marketing decisions that Canon makes to ensure they ‘protect’ their own product line.

However, here are my qualms. To begin with, I believe it’s about time that some of the old prime lenses are phased out. There are some which are more than 15 years old already, and are in dire need of updating. Nowadays with digital, the chromatic aberrations are starting to become startling obvious on these lenses.

Furthermore, I do believe there isn’t a real need to have a 1.3x crop sensor that is the 1d Mk # range. There really isn’t much of a market segment that’s being created there. I really do feel that what is really needed is an update of the old 5D, and perhaps a Full Frame camera targeted at the sports photographers market segment. I believe the 1Ds Mk # series on the other hand, can retain its place as there is still a good niche market which demands for high resolutions which are close to that of the medium formats.

I’m also completely agreeable with the decision to come up with the 1000D and 450D. This opens up a new market for budget DSLRs and credit is due to those who decided on this. However I do feel a clear-cut flagship is required in the APS-C format. The 40D is starting to look like a pretender with the likes of the Nikon D300 in the market. For not much more money, there’s just so much more camera in the Nikon D300, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find a lot of Canon loyalists starting to waiver.

I also reckon that it’s time to stop resting on the laurels of the aging 5D. It’s already 3 years old, and is sorely in need of an update. This camera should already be phased out, and the blunder that was the AF problems with the 1D Mk III should perhaps be taken as an indication that it might be time to phase the APS-H line out also. The Nikon D3 easily contests with the 1D Mk III for similar money and a REAL full frame sensor. It’s no wonder that even at a major event like the Tour De France, more sports and action photographers are choosing Nikon. I will not be surprised if the trend reveals itself in full force at the Beijing Olympics 2008.

I feel that there is potential for a new market segment by releasing a TRUE flagship APS-C and also two Full Frame cameras. One a budget option like the 5D in its heyday, and one a higher spec-ed one to target the would be D3-owners. I know it’s easy for me to suggest these things, but I do feel there’s some weight to this argument.

In terms of lenses, I think it’s high time Canon did something about the 50mm range. The f/1.4 lenses sorely needs an update with frequent complaints of extremely soft imagery wide open and a dated non-ring USM. I reckon, even if the price were to be increased on the f/1.4, but a new updated version released, the sales of this lens will really start picking up. The 50mm f/1.2, with its poor track record, might also deserve a second look at.

I am also one of the many thousands of Canon users who just wish that Canon would just release a REAL 18-200 IS. Never mind if the optics aren’t 100% fantastic, or if a plastic lens mount is to be put with no real USM motor. It’s about time it gets released before more potential customers use Nikon just to access the fantastic 18-200 VR. Don’t get me wrong, the idea to have both the 18-55 IS and 55-250mm IS is an inspired one, but really, is it really that difficult for a technological giant like Canon to make one? In fact, if it’s good enough, perhaps even the 17-85mm, which isn’t all that well accepted due to its optical flaws can be phased out slowly.

I do believe also that there’s room for Canon to start pioneering ideas, and perhaps the niche market segment that the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 has created for the APS-C revolution. If Canon were to release their own version, be it an EF-S one, a huge demand would also be created. Perhaps this is against the marketing strategy of Canon (protecting the L lens range or what not), but there clearly is a demand for this lens, the numbers don’t lie. It’s no use trying to rely on the dated and aging 28mm 1.8.

And then there’s the L lenses. I think it’s about time that Canon releases a 24-70mm f/2.8 IS. The pros have been crying for it, and although it would be a premium product, it would be a perfect reply to the double whammy of the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 and the 24-70mm f/2.8 (the latter of which has tested to be a fantastic optic end-to-end). Also with major reviewers commenting on the sharpness (or rather the lack of) on the premium 70-200 f/2.8 IS, I do believe the pro market deserves more attention and an update to what is surely a workhorse lens that will serve to strengthen instead of weakening Canon’s current lineup. I know this is possible, as Canon’s own 70-200 f/4.0 IS is one of their sharpest to date, so what’s stopping the release of a new 70-200 f/2.8 IS?

I really have to stress that the small things that a company like Nikon pays attention to really does make a difference. Take for instance their in camera viewfinder gridlines, and huge viewfinders (on a enthusiast level camera like the D80). It doesn’t cost too much more for small things like those I’m sure, but Canon just refuses to give the photographers the best camera they can get. I do strongly believe that Canon is a technological powerhouse, but that seems like something left in the past. They’re rested on their laurels for too long, and I think the facts speak for themselves, that with the release of Nikon’s pro D3, D300 and now the D700, canon’s professional line will start being massacred. Evidence of the entire USA today staff changing their gear, and major event photographers switching over, should already be enough to prove my point.

I’m sure that there are Canon pros who swear by the 1D and 1Ds range, but from an enthusiast’s point of view, I’d rather swear by the D3. It costs so much less than a 1.3x cropped 1D series camera and a heck lot less than a 1Ds series camera. And again, by winning so much critical acclaim, I do believe the pros are speaking for themselves. That camera is so feature loaded it puts the canon flagships to shame. I for one, feel that high ISO performance is more important than keeping the megapixel count. There’s so much more versatility to a camera capable of High ISO rather than a 24MP one. What’s the use of all those megapixels if one can’t even get the shot in low light to begin with?

Speaking of light, then there is the Flash system. ‘Strobist’ is by far one of the fastest growing online communities in the photography world. And their flash of choice? The Nikon SB800, which is already legendary for its feature set and for less money than the 580EX II. Now with the announcement of the SB900, the 580EX II truly just looks like a glorified smack. I really do feel that a cheaper level featured flash is required below the overpriced 430EX. Perhaps keeping the 430EX in the lineup in spite of the 430EX II might be a good idea to allow Canon users to enjoy flash photography. And truthfully, is it really so difficult to have the SU-4 functionality that the SB800 doesn’t charge a single cent more for?

Although I have credited the decision to have the 1000D and 450D, everything else I’ve mentioned thereafter reveals a severe gap. I strongly believe that after 1 year or so of using those cameras, those camera owners will start feeling the disgruntlement that I am feeling now.

Times are changing. And for the giant that Canon is, they are really reacting too slowly. It’s time for some changes, resting on the laurels of former glory won’t do. The competition waits for nobody. A storm’s brewing, and not all of us (myself included) will want to stand with them to weather it out. So this is my plea, before I make the right decision of a photography enthusiast and leave the Canon EOS line for good.

Passionate for the light, and no longer delighted,
Woody Ang

Now if you actually bother to copy and paste this entire email, it will be nearly 1600 words long and take up 3 whole pages in Microsoft Word. This email for me, about one year ago from today, summed up in a polite and curt way every thing I felt was wrong with Canon. Unfortunately since this email, very little has changed in the world of Canon. Mind you, I gave them credit in this email, and even gave constructive suggestions, in spite of the negative vibes emanating.

Some enthusiasts and photographers in-the-know may say that since the time of my email, there’s been the 50D and 5D Mark II. Not to mention, they’ve also answered one of my requests: a 18-200mm IS lens. But unfortunately, in all my red mist, I can see right through these 3 products. I can break down for you the amazing Canon marketing strategy that actually purposely HANDICAPS cameras and UNDER-SPECIFIES lenses to ensure there is enough segmentation in their lineup. And yes, they applied it to all of the 3 aforementioned products on purpose. Now note again, that I’m sure even Nikon does things to have sufficient market segmentation in their lineup, but I personally feel they are not as blatant as Canon.

Again I stress, that these by no means say that Canon makes poor products. On the contrary, their cameras are capable of amazing things. They have one of the most COMPLETE lens ranges and many a photographer has proven that to me time and time again what fantastic imagery can be captured with any of their cameras. Heck, I owned one for more than 2 years. I should know that.

So why then am I still so disgruntled? And what am I harping about by using the words ‘HANDICAPS’ and ‘UNDER-SPECIFIES’? Curious? I’m just getting to it.

To be continued…

The Canon vs. Nikon Conundrum

Part 1 – My Personal Journey’s Backstory
Part 2 – The Feedback Letter
Part 3 – The Marketing Machine
Part 4 – The Grass Is Always Greener

PS: I do realize a lot of this post will come across as Greek and pure techno-babble. I will try and explain some of it in layman terms if there’s enough interest, else don’t worry, this is a one-off thing… =)